News

Major Progress on Beef Market Access to China

07 November 2014

IRELAND - After a day of meetings with key political figures in China, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney T.D. announced a major step forward for Irish beef access in China.

The Minister, who this week is leading the largest ever Irish agri-food trade mission to China, announced the breakthrough after bilateral meetings this morning in Beijing with the Chinese Minister for Agriculture (Mr Han Changfu)and the Chinese Minister responsible for market access (Mr Zhi Shuping).

The Minister commented: “I am delighted to have secured agreement from my Chinese counterpart to send a formal inspection team to Ireland in December. This follows intensive technical engagement between my Department and the relevant Chinese Authorities over the past two years. The question of beef access has also been raised at the highest political levels, and I am delighted that we were in a position to advance this process during my visit to China.

"The Chinese visit will include full systems and plant audits of all aspects of the beef inspection system in Ireland. The Minister added “this announcement is a breakthrough, and builds on my first visit here two years ago and the subsequent progress in the joint working group between both sides. While we must respect the Chinese process of technical evaluation, I am delighted that we have moved to this stage and that we have the opportunity to prove first hand, our credentials as a safe secure supplier of world class beef.

"Demand for beef in China is expected to rise by one million tonnes over the next five years, and I am determined that Irish farmers and processors should have access to this critically important market. Beef access to the Chinese market is a huge prize and my Department and the beef industry will now work to ensure that that inspection visit is successful.”

The Minister also announced a number of other important milestones for the Irish meat sector including a key first step in securing access for Irish sheepmeat. He also raised the question of access for Irish poultry meat.

Commenting, the Minister said: “I was delighted to formally submit to AQSIQ the questionnaire marking the first step in securing access for Irish sheep meat to China. Obtaining the green light from China to move to this stage represents an important milestone, and with growing Chinese demand for high quality lamb I believe Irish producers are well placed to take advantage of the market opportunity if we can progress this quickly.”